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Kodibendihinna /කොඩිබැදිහින්න (1082m)

Rajagala mountain range extends from Hunnasgiriya-Madamahanuwara till Randenigala reservoir. When we were at Randenigala hills, I have noted a good view point at this Rajagala range closer to Randenigala reservoir. Map reading mentioned it as Kodibendihena (1082m) and it can be approached from Wendaruwa-Sandasirinuwara side. Wendaruwa is situated at the by road from the road to Victoria Dam from Moragahamula. Though I have been at observation point of Victoria dam, never been at Wendaruwa. Therefore this journey was an exploration of new area as well.

My first impression of Kodibendihinna. Madamahanuwara Kanda is situated at one end of Rajagala range and Kodibendihinna is situated at other end.

Kodibendihena is marked in metric map. Note-Wewathenna is situated next to this peak. Click image to enlarge.

Kodibendihinna / Kodibendihena in Google map. Click image to enlarge.

Sandagirilen Temple is situated on our way to Kodibendihena. I have included this temple also in my objective list.
We drove till Moragahamula along A26 road and got the turn to Victoria observation point. Next turn was to Wendaruwa, just after about 500m from Moragahamula junction. With aid of Google map, we drove up to Sandagirilen ancient temple. This road was scenic and we have passed sets of greenish paddy fields.
This ancient cave temple is situated at a drop of a rock provides beautiful view towards surrounding. As it was a Sunday temple premises was full of children and we got permission to park the car at temple premises. One of the Buddhist monk was at temple was kind enough to provide information about Kodibendihena. Most of the time locals are not aware of the names of mountain used at metric maps. But here it was different and they also use the term Kodibendihinna. (Not Kodibendihena). You can’t see the mountain from the temple. After getting adequate information from Buddhist priest and one of a teachers we started the journey.

Sandagirilen Ancient Temple / සදගිරිලෙන් පුරාණ විහාරය
The history of this temple goes back to 1880 and it is evidenced by the inscription found closer to the cave temple. History of Dunuwila village (Sandasiridunuwila) is related to Anagarika Darmapala (අනගාරික ධර්මපාල තුමා). There was a Buddhist Thero from Dunuwila village in the team Darmapala accompanied to India from Sri Lanka to revival of Buddhism. We can see a statue of Anagarika Darmapala at temple premises.
You can visit at image house of this cave temple. There is a sacred foot print under the cave and water stream flows through this cave. Currently this cave temple is functioned as a Pirivena. Closer to the temple there are some caves might be used as Mediation kuti.

Sandagirilen ancient cave temple

Sandagirilen ancient cave temple

Sacred foot print

Inscription to reveal the age of the temple.

Water stream flows through the cave.

Image house

Artistic window of the image house

Following steps at the edge of the cave

Might be old “Awasage” /ආවාසගේ

Might be old “Awasage” /ආවාසගේ

Main rock part

Cave temple and Pirivena.

View of Kukulagala from cave temple.

Scenic view from the temple.

There was a foot pathway just above the temple through a tea estate up to a road which extend towards a small lake called “Udaha Wewa” (උඩහ වැව). This small lake is shown in the map as well. Mountain range with Pinus cover was situated beyond this lake and we passed set of paddy fields to reach this mountain range. Lower part of the hills was covered with tea estate. Initially we didn’t have a proper idea of the direction of the mountain though we got instruction from locals. After having several ups and downs through tea estate we have reached the base of proper hill, which covered with Pinus patch

Team-Nileeka, Sanjeewa and Eshan

A cave we came across along the foot path. According to Buddhist priest these caves were used for meditation.

Follows the foot path.

Drinking water

There is a Dewalaya situated on top of this rock. “Handagala Dewalaya.” හදගල දේවාලය

Bo tree with Buddha statue is an important place of the journey.

“Udaha Wewa” with paddy fields and hills.

Tea estate covers the lower part of the hills. Pinus patch fills rest of the mountain. Actually Kodibendihinna is situated on right to this hill, but in same range.

Once we reached the tea patch

Surrounding view

Paddies at meadow.

Bird’s eye view of the lake.

Top of the hills

The rock shown in right side of the picture is called Kirialagala (කිරිඅලගල). It was a frequent founder in snaps. Kukulagala is seen in left side of the picture.

Zoomed view of Kirialagala.

Hanthana range and Ambalammana peak at Galaha area.

Rest point at water stream.

Coming from the mountain with tower to proper Kodibendihinna peak.

Mush rooms.

The peak with tower from base of Kodibendihinna

Nearby small mountain.

We followed the foot path through first Pinus patch and noted couple of houses situated at base of the mountain. This has revealed there is an easiest path to reach the base of Kodibendihinna. After hike through first Pinus patch we have entered a forest patch which ends at the second Pinus patch. There were some markings to separate forest border from the village.It was the final hike to the peak of Kodibendihinna.

Mahaweli River flows between Victoria and Randenigala reservoirs. Pallekale area can be identified as white dots in right side of Mahaweli River. Haragama area is situated on left side of Mahaweli River. Alagalla and Nelligala are marked.

Towards Victoria reservoir.

Towards Victoria reservoir.

Kukulagala

Reached the peak of Kodibendihinna.

Peak of Kodibendihinna is a fairly flat area covered with grass and Pinus trees. These Pinus trees cut down the view towards Randenigala hills. Other than the view we got before, Randenigala reservoir with Kanameegala, Padupola plains and Hegasulla were seen at this time. The drop of Kodibendihinna towards Randenigala reservoir side. As cloud cover was high, second line mountains were not visible in this side. There was a place on the top where most probably the flag has been raised. Top of Kodibendihinna is a good place for camping.

View towards Randenigala side

Randenigala reservoir and dam.

Randenigala Dam is zoomed. Raja Mawatha is also seen.

Padupola plains, Korahana and Hegasulla

This must be the place where Mala Oya joins with Randenigala reservoir. We have followed this path from Theripaha to Raja Mawatha.

Compared to Victoria, Randenigala has good water level.

Paddies

Pitigoda area. Note there is a water stream feeds paddy fields and flows to Randenigala reservoir.

After enjoying the view from top we started to descend. Let me describe the easiest path to reach the peak. Get your way to Handagala Dewalaya from Sandasiridunuwila by vehicle. Then it is about 45minutes- 1hour hike from the gravel to the top of Kodibendihinna. Or you can follow the foot path in right side of Buddha statue (without going towards the lake) to reach this gravel road. We made our return journey in 30minutes time.